Detection and analysis of spatially varying fluid levels using magnetic signals
Inventors
WYETH, Richard Warren • LEVINSON, Mitchell Elliott • Weber, Bryan Jon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10743815-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for detecting spatial differences in fluid level changes in a tissue of a patient may include a support structure for securing the device to a body part of the patient, a processing element operably connected to the support structure, a wireless networking interface operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element and an external computing device via a network, a first transmission module operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element, a second transmission module and a third transmission module operably connected to the support structure and in communication with the processing element. When activated, the first transmission module transmits a first time varying magnetic field through the tissue of the patient. The second and third transmission modules, which are spatially separated from one another, receive first and second versions, respectively, of the first time varying magnetic field.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for detecting a spatial difference in fluid in a head of a patient using a headset secured to the patient's head. The device includes first and second transmitters positioned on opposite sides of the head and a receiver positioned apart from the transmitters on the forehead. Each transmitter transmits a respective time varying magnetic field at a respective frequency through a respective hemisphere of the patient's brain.
Received magnetic field data are processed to distinguish first received signals from the first transmitter versus second received signals from the second transmitter based on the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The device detects a spatial difference between fluid in the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere based on a difference in phase shifts of the first time varying magnetic field and the second time varying magnetic field. The device further includes a wireless networking interface in the headset in communication with a processing element and an external computing device via a wireless network.
In representative embodiments, the headset configuration supports placement of the receiver and the processing element in a central housing with first and second parallel posterior arms on opposite sides of a patient's head carrying the first and second transmitters. Additional refinements include measuring attenuation of voltage and/or current signals between each transmitter and the receiver and using the measured attenuation to partially determine a spatial difference in fluid between two hemispheres. Further signal processing can translate received magnetic field data using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set provided includes one independent claim and several dependent claims. The independent claim defines how hemisphere-specific time varying magnetic fields at different frequencies are used with phase shift differences to detect a spatial fluid difference, while dependent claims add specific headset/layout refinements and optional signal-processing and system-level features.
Headset with hemisphere-specific different-frequency magnetic field transmission and phase-shift localization
A device comprising a headset for securing to a patient's head, a first transmitter and a second transmitter attached to the headset at respective locations so the transmitters transmit first and second time varying magnetic fields at first and second frequencies different from each other through respective hemispheres, a receiver attached to the headset at a location such that radiofrequency signals from each transmitter pass through respective hemispheres, and a processing element configured to process received magnetic field data, distinguish received signals from the first transmitter versus second transmitter based on the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency, and detect a spatial difference between fluid in the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere based on a difference in phase shifts; and a wireless networking interface in the headset in communication with the processing element and an external computing device via a wireless network.
Across the provided claims, the core inventive coverage centers on using a headset that transmits different-frequency time varying magnetic fields into respective brain hemispheres and using received phase shift differences, after frequency-based signal distinction, to detect a spatial difference in fluid between the hemispheres; dependent claims then specify further headset placement and optionally add attenuation measurement, FFT translation of received data, and inclusion of a Doppler ultrasound device for cerebrovascular response monitoring.
Stated Advantages
Enables detection of a spatial difference between fluid in a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere of a patient's brain.
Allows distinguishing signals from the first transmitter versus the second transmitter based on the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.
Detects the spatial difference based on a difference in phase shifts of the time varying magnetic fields.
Documented Applications
A system that further includes a Doppler ultrasound device configured to measure blood flow in a carotid artery to monitor changes in cerebrovascular response.
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